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Anyone can code… but can Barbie?

November 19, 2014

Apparently, no, Barbie can’t become a computer engineer.

Mattel, the official company behind the Barbie brand, released a book titled Barbie: I Can Be a Computer Engineer. This book is so bad it’s shameful.

Now, the book is supposed to be about Barbie learning to code. It’s supposed to be about Barbie overcoming female stereotypes and inspiring young girls all over the world to code, too. However in actuality, she doesn’t even bother trying.

This frustratingly painful story goes like this:

  1. Barbie says she can become a computer engineer and begins creating a game about puppies.
  2. When it comes time to actually code, Barbie finds two guys to do the whole thing for her instead.
  3. Barbie accidentally installs a virus on her sister’s computer, then seeks advice on how to fix it.
  4. Instead of listening to the advice, Barbie finds the same two guys to fix her problem for her.
  5. Barbie triumphantly declares: “I guess I can be a computer engineer!”

I wish I were making this up. If it makes you feel any better, Mattel has since apologized.

Note: I sincerely believe that anyone can learn to code, even Barbie.

Got a young girl in your life you’d like to inspire to code? Check out these two links:

  • Let it code! – Disney teaches girls to code alongside two of their favorite Disney princesses, Anna and Elsa from Frozen!
  • cuSTEMized.org – a site that encourages girls to pursue technology using motivational books and goodies.

I wish my favorite Disney characters taught me to code when I was younger!

Finally, check out this commercial (surprisingly, by Verizon). It’ll restore your faith back in humanity!

4 Comments
Jean
September 5, 2015 @ 12:30 pm

Hey David! I’m the founder of cuSTEMized. I was working on our SEO when I came across your site. I wanted to say thanks for sharing about cuSTEMized. We have grown a bit since you last saw us. We’re are providing free personalized STEM-motivational ebooks along with hard cover, soft cover, and spiral bound books. We are also now providing books in Polish and French and soon Spanish and Chinese. Anyways, I just wanted to thank you for your support. We’d be honored if you would blog about us again. Hope to keep in touch!

Reply
    David Liu
    September 5, 2015 @ 9:06 pm

    Thank you for all you do Jean, I will keep you in mind for future posts!

    David

    Reply
Candy
November 21, 2014 @ 7:38 am

Love the Let it code site! I have two girls and a boy (all under 7). My oldest will be having a Frozen party tomorrow too! It would be so awesome to speak code-like to my little kiddies :) Life is so busy with a full time job and three young babies (okay, four babies, including the other grown up who acts like a baby) but I am still inspired and am working on my certifications and coding. BTW it was nice meeting you David. I appreciate what you do here! Thank you :)

Reply
    David Liu
    November 22, 2014 @ 4:48 pm

    hahaha great meeting you too Candy and hope you had a great Frozen party… I’m jealous! =P

    Reply

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